World No. 4 Coco Gauff got it done, taking down fellow US talent No. 3 Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to lift the Cincinnati Open trophy on Sunday.
Gauff became just the third WTA player to rack up two Cincinnati titles after her 2023 victory, joining greats Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.
“I think it was a long journey, but I’m happy," Gauff said. “It’s night and day, the player I was last year to now.”
After her 2023 win foreshadowed her breakout US Open title run, Gauff is now gearing up for a high-stakes Grand Slam in Queens.
Both No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Elena Rybakina struggled in Ohio. Sabalenka fell to unseeded Sara Bejlek in the Round of 16 before Rybakina exited her quarterfinal with injury.
“I don’t think that this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York,” Gauff cautioned. “Just knowing the quality that I had this week, hopefully I can use that experience.”
The US Open first round kicks off on Sunday at 11 AM ET (ESPN).
